Angry relatives of crime victims met on Monday with Gov.-elect Phil Bryant, who said he doesn't support Barbour's pardon decisions.

"But the constitution gives the governor that authority, and that is his decision to make," Bryant said.

According to Mississippi Department of Corrections records, Joseph Ozment was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for the murder of Ricky Montgomery. Ozment was also convicted of armed robbery and conspiracy.

Montgomery's family said they were devastated to hear Ozment was released on Sunday after receiving a pardon from Barbour.

Victim's Family Upset About Pardon

"Of course it's devastating. You know, we go through this and it's reliving it over again and again when I don't think the general public has any idea of the things these convicts are doing," said Montgomery's nephew, Mark McAbee, of Coldwater.

McAbee's mother wrote MDOC two years ago, outraged to learn Ozment had been assigned to work at the Governor's Mansion.

MDOC said he "met all the requirements" and went through an "extensive screening process."

Now the McAbees said the pardon means a hard core criminal is getting a clean slate.

"We have people out here on the streets that are sex offenders that have to register. This is a man (that) killed somebody. This man took somebody's life and it's not going to indicate that on any paperwork," said McAbee.

Another convicted murderer, 40-year-old David Gatlin, was released from prison over the weekend on a pardon from Barbour. Gatlin had also worked as a trusty at the governor's mansion.

David Gatlin was sentenced to life in prison for killing his estranged wife, Tammy Ellis Gatlin, in Brandon in 1993 and for shooting her long-time friend, Randy Walker, who survived.

"I can’t imagine not having my son to hold onto ever again. And you know, David could still have that chance. He’s got out," Walker said.

Tammy Ellis Gatlin's mother, Betty Ellis, said she felt helpless.

"I was sorry that I couldn't help her. And that's the way I felt: helpless. And I have a lot of feelings. I mean, I've been mad. I can't understand how a man that has children of his own could do this," she said.

A letter to one of the victims in the case said the Mississippi Parole Board turned down Gatlin on Dec. 27.

Walker's mother, Glenda Walker, said her son is afraid now that Gatlin is free.

"This again has given Mississippi a black eye. This is going to make national news," Walker said.

Joann Martin, of Fort Worth, Texas, said Barbour pardoned Anthony McCray, convicted in 2001 of killing his wife, who was Martin's sister.

Barbour also pardoned Charles Hooker, who was convicted in 1992 of murder in Coahoma County and sentenced to life in prison. Hooker also worked as a trusty at the Governor's Mansion.

Nathan Kern, another trusty who worked at the Governor's Mansion, was also pardoned by Barbour. Kern was sentenced to life in 1982 for burglary after serving at least two prior convictions, according to state records.